Marshmallow igloo
Use your maths skills and knowledge to make a marshmallow igloo in this quick and fun craft project for kids.
Igloos are built out of blocks of ice or snow by Inuit people living in the Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland. They were used as temporary shelters when people were hunting.
Get creative this Christmas and develop your maths knowledge with this engaging activity. You will make an igloo out of marshmallows and a few simple items. Not only is this a fun experiment, but it’s edible too!
What ingredients will you need?
• Bag of mini marshmallows or bag of marshmallows
• If you are making the buttercream icing, you will also need
• 70g softened butter
• 150g icing sugar
How to do it
Step 1 - Cut the side off one of the cups. You need to cut it in half lengthways as if you are slicing it in half down the middle.
Ensure you leave the cup’s bottom intact; you do not want to cut this part, as this will be the door of your house.
Lay the cup down so the larger opening you have cut is on the plate.
Step 2 - You then need to cut into the second cup. Cut a rectangle into the cup so it goes about a quarter of the way up. To be accurate, it is a good idea to measure the height of the cup and then calculate a quarter. How do we do this? Quarters mean four equal groups. Once you have the measurement, you could divide that by 4 or half the amount, then half again. For example, 8 divided by 2 = 4, then 4 divided by 2 = 2. Therefore 2 is a quarter of 8.
Now slot the door into the opening that you have just cut, and it should create something that looks like an L shape.
Step 3 – make buttercream icing
Sieve the icing sugar into a bowl with the softened butter and whisk together to form a smooth paste.
Step 4 - Next, cover the cups with the buttercream icing, creating a “cement” to which you will be sticking your marshmallows.
Step 5 - Carefully stick the marshmallows to it. Make sure you ensure that all of the marshmallows are touching “shoulder to shoulder” so that it looks more like an igloo.
Step 6 - Your igloo is ready to display! It might not last long, though. I’m sure some people won’t be able to resist picking off a marshmallow as they walk past the winter wonderland!
The Marshmallow igloo activity sheets and notes for teachers can be downloaded for free below.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Oh ho ho, and please do share your homemade igloos with us @IETeducation #SantaLovesSTEM.
